Saturday, 31 December 2011

Phew, what an eventful year! From Royal nutipals to widespread riots, 2011 has seen it all.

The bad news included the Norway shootings, (may the victims rest in peace) terrible natural disasters, phone hacking scandal, the continuing economic crisis and those riots, which were just an excuse for hoodrats to bag free tellies and trainers. The antics of certain footballers caused a scandal and the final Harry Potter film marked the end of an era.

The royal wedding was a welcome distraction to take our mind off the bad news and the constant prices of well, everything and Pippa Middleton's bum almost stole the show from Kate's stunning McQueen dress. The ever entertaining X Factor also sparked debate with its new judges and 'Coke'cozza gate. It also spawned Britain's next biggest girlband Little Mix. Towie gained a new rival when Made in Chelsea hit our screens and the Desperate Scousewives tried to cash in on the wave of location based reality TV but didn't quite enjoy the same level of popularity. We were introduced to the likes of Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande and Johnny Robinson (ooh helllooo) and Bieber fever swept the nation.

Sadly, more young lives were tragically lost, from those whose talent was known to the world like Amy Winehouse to those who only blessed a lucky few with their talents but were taken too soon. My thoughts are with those who were close to them.

Personally, 2011 hasn't been the greatest year for me but I'm trying to be hopeful for the future. What I will take with me is the lovely people I met this year and the great new experiences I've had.

So, lets raise a glass to 2012, bust those moves like Jagger, don't let the b*st*rds get you down and make sure you take time out everyday to shuffle. I'll drink to that!

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed spending time with the people you love, eating, drinking and being merry. I know I did but the day itself seemed to whizz past in a blur. Typically, I was suffering from festive insomnia so I didn't feel quite with it on the day but it was still enjoyable. I got some fantastic presents and was very grateful for all of them especially as I can't afford to treat myself very often.

My favourite presents were a fake fur and leather biker jacket from Topshop which I've worn every day since Christmas and a Love Label beaded 20s style dress which I'll wear on New Years Eve

I decided to hit the sales today in Westfield with my mum. I found that there were a few bargains to be had but the best items weren't reduced by very much. I still can't afford to buy evening wear in All Saints! I did find a fab bargain in Miss Selfridge though in the shape of a pretty shift dress for £7! No doubt I'll post a picture of me wearing it soon.

Monday, 28 November 2011

I recently visited Dove Spa near Canary Wharf to spend some of the voucher that my lovely boyfriend bought me last Christmas. (I know, it's taken me ages to get round to using it)I love fun nails so I opted for minx which involves having a heat activated coloured or patterned film stuck to your nails.

I wanted to go for a silver zebra print but this was only available for toes so I chose this two tone blue/purple effect. I was very pleased with them and would get them done again for a special occasion. They did start to peel off after 3 days and you must avoid hand dryers as the heat makes them come away from the nail but I would recommend them for a night out

Thursday, 17 November 2011

This morning I thought I'd brave the crowds and try and get myself a piece of Donatella Versace's collection for H&M. I arrived at the Westfield H&M store at 9.05am and was given a wristband to return at 11.05 for my 10 minute slot. I managed to kill 2 hours in Starbucks, Boots and Forever 21 then queued up for my chance to own a piece of the much hyped collaboration.

When the time came everyone was rushing to grab their items so I quickly grabbed a scarf which was what I planned to buy anyway. I did consider buying a pair of diamanté leggings but as I'm on a budget it was either those or the scarf so I chose a palm tree and crocodile print silk scarf. I felt that I couldn't pull off most the of items of clothing as I'm not Lady GaGa but I'm sure there are people out there who will wear the prints with pride and incorporate them into their eclectic style.

The print on the scarf transports me to a tropical paradise but it is so versatile and will brighten up any outfit.

I couldn't fit the whole print in so I had to fold it in half but the print is the same as what is on the shopping bag. The scarf cost £25 which is reasonable for a silk Versace piece.

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

I don't normally look in charity shops as I'm a sucker for brand new items, but I thought I'd give it a try. Today I browsed Oxfam in Hampstead as charity shops in more affluent areas tend to have better items for sale. There was a lovely Burberry coat but at £199 it was over my budget so I picked up this bargain YSL clutch bag. Ok, so it's meant to be a make-up bag but if you don't tell anyone I won't!

It cost just £5.99 and the leopard print logo is very on trend. I love the felt texture of the bag and it is big enough for all of my night out essentials. I will definitely check out charity shops more often now.

Monday, 14 November 2011

As you know, I am a big fan of the rock chick look and anything that sparkles so last Friday night I went for an outfit that reflects this.

The lightning bolt top is my favourite and it only cost £18 from Topshop. It's a great way to update your jeans or a black skirt for the party season. My sequin blazer was a Christmas present back in 2009 and the black skinny jeans are my trusty Topshop Leigh jeans. The boots are around 4 years old from New Look but so many high street stores have jumped on the ankle boot bandwagon this winter. The studded bracelets from Forever 21 and Topshop give the outfit a rocky edge

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

I spent some of my birthday money in Westfield Stratford City today so went for a simple, comfortable look.

The black skinny jeans are the Leigh jeans from Topshop (£40) and the black ankle boots were £65 from River Island. I've had so much wear out of them recently so they were definitely worth the money. I've had the jumper for a couple of years and it was a Primark bargain. The shirt underneath is vintage DKNY.

My inspiration for this outfit was Alexa Chung and Coco Sumner's tomboy chic and the current mod trend.

Sunday, 6 November 2011

On Friday night I celebrated my birthday in a club in Shoreditch. It was a joint event for me and a friend as we share the same birthday and I use any excuse to dress up so I wanted a 'wow' dress. Hopefully I suceeded with this red, sequin asos number. (£45)

I was inspired by Jessica Rabbit but also the fetish trend as the sheer cut-outs and sleeves are a nod to this look. I have also gone darker with my hair which I'm still getting used to. It's strange not being really blonde anymore. Blonde hair seems to stand out and command attention but darker hair is more mature and sophisticated. Just hope I don't blend into the background too much!

As for my age, I'm going to keep it quiet! Lets just say I'm a bit older than most fashion bloggers but still young enough to enjoy fun, glamorous looks...

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

The party season is fast approaching so it’s almost time to get your gladrags on and have a few drinks with your friends. (Make sure this doesn’t turn into one too many though! Always drink responsibly.)

Cocktails are often the drink of choice during the festive period so why not trysomething new and match your cocktail to your outfit? I’ve put together some new season party pieces with the beverages I think will suit them best.

Sequins are the ultimate adornment for a night out. I love this sequin shift dress below, £69 from M&Co. It may seem slightly expensive but the classic party dress will last you for many years to come and this is a good price for a quality sequin dress. The faux faur marabu shrug will keep you warm when you leave the bar or club. At £40 it's worth splashing out on as it will go with most of your party pieces. A Cosmopolitan or Bellini will make the perfect partner for this outfit as they are glamorous and sophisticated.
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This image is the property of M&Co

For an androgynous party look team these asos metallic silver trousers (£40) with a white vest, a black blazer and black heeled boots. A boy-meet-girl outfit demands a unisex tipple so why not go for a bloody Mary?Season with a kick of pepper for a masculine edge.

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This image is the property of asos.com

This slinky miniskirt costs a bargain £19.50 from M&S. Pair it with a black sequin or lace top for a sexy and fun look. Go for a classy Martini to match your fashionable look.

This image is the property of Marks and Spencer

For the more daring amongst you, this asos fetish dress (£65) is guaranteed to turn heads. The corset, pencil skirt and lace-up detail create a seductive look which will go perfectly with a Black Russian.

This image is the property of asos.com

Thirstcard is a great way to save money when buying wine and cocktails at many of London's bars and clubs. Take your Thirstcard discount card with you wherever you go, it even works in selected coffee shops and juice bars﻿﻿

Saturday, 29 October 2011

My new favourite fragrance is Loverdose by Diesel. There's just something about it.It's sexy enough for night but subtle enough for day. It's sweet with darker undertones, much like myself. There's a hint of liquorice which smells good enough to eat and base notes of a chemical type smell which is addictive. I've also noticed this note in scents such as 1 Million by Paco Rabanne & Madame by Jean Paul Gaultier. If you go past a fragance shop it's definitely worth having a sniff at this irresistable perfume.

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

My favourite winter item has to be the coat. With our never-ending cold weather you're guaranteed to get lots of wear out of them and there are so many styles to choose from. Over the past few weeks I will be posting pics of some of my favourite coats available on the high street this season. Today's entry is this toasty turquoise number from Primark. Fur collars were all over the catwalk and you can get the look for just £35.

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﻿ If you don't like the belt you can always add your own for a unique touch.

Friday, 14 October 2011

For the past two weeks I have been doing some temping work, hence the lack of regular posts. All the women in the office seem to wear dresses every day so I thought I'd follow suit.

I layered my good old New Look dress over a white Topshop shirt and cinched in my waist with a Primark belt. This isn't the most flattering photo but you get the general idea. Hopefully one day I'll be able to afford to use a professional photographer rather than friends, family members and my boyfriend!

Sunday, 9 October 2011

On Friday night I thought I would try out the fetish look with gothic make-up. I love black, sexy clothes that are a bit edgy anyway so I loved the outfit but I'm not so sure about the make-up. I think the foundation was the wrong shade as it made my skin look at bit grey but I do like the lipstick. Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

This fabulous sequin and lace dress is a great mid-week purchase to add sparkle to your life.At only £25 it's very reasonable for a sequin dress. Perfect to slip into for Friday night cocktails after a long week!

Thursday, 29 September 2011

Stars are big news at the moment and accessories are a great way to update any outfit.

These Primark bargains are dazzling! The stunning earrings will add glamour to your look and the starburst tights will bring a plain dress bang up to date. The tights and the sparkling drop earrings both cost £2.50. Yes, you read that right!

This star ring is my favourite and at £2.50 it's a bargain fashionable piece. I plan to get a lot of wear out of it and think it will be perfect for the party season.

Monday, 26 September 2011

We all need a lift on Mondays after the fun of the weekend is replaced my the monotony of the working week so why not treat yourself to this versatile little bargain?

This image is the property of Primark

Midi skirts are bang on trend and this version, £12 from Primark has a hint of sparkle to brighten up your week. It will go with anything and can be dressed up or down. Also loving the tassel belt for a finishing touch.

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

I've chosen not to post pictures as I don't want to get done for copyright! Whilst we're on the subject, if you know where I can get pictures of designer's collections that I can use in my blog pleeaase let me know.

London Fashion Week is always incredibly exciting. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky enough to bag a ticket but I have studied some of the collections and here are my highlights...

Christopher Kane featured futuristic dresses with origami style fabric folds, a sleeveless cricket jumper with very large armholes over a floral skirt, lots of floral pieces and pretty embellishment which is perfect for summer evenings.

Meadham Kirchoff are known for their out there style and their latest collection didn't disappoint. Satin nighty-esque dresses, bright colours, cartoon motifs and prints, smiley faces, heart pockets and fluffy, furry jackets and dresses in pastel colours all featured. The looks were girly and childlike but fun and lighthearted which I find refreshing.

Julien MacDonald had monocrome and yellow aswell as bright blue as big themes in his collection. I love the black and white tailored jacket.

Mulberry went for a mostly lemon and nude colour palette aswell as khaki with cropped parkas making an appearance. I like the lemon raincoat with the nude maxiskirt. There were also black pieces which is unusual for summer. They included classic LBDs and a black raincoat which is perhaps more practical than the lemon one. I also liked the shimmery and sequin pieces in gold and silver.

I can't wait to see how the high street inteprets these looks early next year!

Monday, 19 September 2011

This afternoon I attended a trend talk by Look magazine's Hannah Hughes at the Look lounge in Stratford Westfield City. Sadly, the lounge will no longer be there after today but here's hoping that the lovely people at Look decide to come back to my local shopping mecca one day.

The trend talk was very interesting and it outlined this seasons key trends and pieces. Items I loved included an emerald green pencil skirt, a silver metallic top, a sheer polkadot dress and a mustard longline blazer coat. Hannah explained how the 40's and 60's are massive trends and identified some of the key pieces such as fur stoles and 60's miniskirts. I now have more items to add to my ever increasing wishlist and I also met Jen and Michaela, two lovely ladies who share my love of fashion. Check out Jen's fabulous blog at www.jjnoir.blogspot.com

As for Westfield Stratford City I'm in love with the place and can't believe that it's practically on my doorstep. The Primark is amazing and so big that I got lost for a few minutes! There are shops to suit every budget and I'm looking forward to when H&M opens on September 30th. Also, I don't care if I'm 24, I love Forever 21! There are so many on trend bargains to be had and its jewellery department sells brilliant trinkets at fantastic prices. I will post pictures of my new jewellery later this week so keep your eyes peeled.

It was my boyfriend's 30th Birthday party this weekend and as it was held in his garden, I had to find an outfit that was fashionable but also comfortable and wouldn't leave me shivering all night. After much searching I found this brilliant Peter Pan collar dress in River Island for £45. As the evening went on and the chill set in I threw on my trusty colbalt blue chunky knit cardigan

For his actual birthday I went for this monocrome ensemble above. My blouse was a missguided bargain which cost around £25 and the jeans are Topshop Leigh black skinny jeans, £40. My brogues were a bargain £8 from Primark and they are soooo comfortable. My new favourite flats, I think.

On Wednesday evening I went to the new Westfield Stratford City (I'm in love with the place but more of that later) and opted for a DIY Peter Pan collar dress by layering a blouse underneath a dress both from New Look, which I bought back in the summer.

Friday, 16 September 2011

Thank you very much to those of you who have posted comments on my blog. I have tried to reply to them but unfortunately, there is a techincal issue which isn't allowing me to do so.When I try to leave a comment under my Google account it says that my account does not have access to view this page.Does anyone else have the same problem?I have sent feedback to Google explaining this so hopefully things will be sorted out soon.

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Although I look young, I'm actually approaching 25. I have one of those baby faces that causes every bouncer and bartender to ask to see my I.D. Annoying.

Growing up, I wanted to be a fashion designer but I was never that good at drawing and I failed my art GCSE so I decided to take a different path. The passion still remains but now I love to write about fashion, from my recent bargain buys to the items I am lusting after. I also enjoy discussing the style or lack of it, of those in the public eye as well as new brands or good offers I have found.

I am drawn to anything that sparkles and I am a real girly girl. I'm a homebird but I do love a holiday in the sun. Don't we all? I enjoy getting glammed up and going out with the girls. I'm partial to fake tan and false eyelashes but I'm not keen on the Snog, Marry, Avoid look. I am the reality TV queen and spend hours watching trashy programmes. Favourites include The Only way is Essex, Made in Chelsea, Big Brother, The X Factor, Jerseylicious, Jersey and Geordie shore, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and Snog, Marry, Avoid. I'm a sucker for a makeover show. My favourite music is usually in the charts and favourites include Rihanna, Example, Olly Murs, The Saturdays, Pixie Lott and David Guetta but I also love old Michael Jackson tunes.

It's my dream to be a magazine journalist so I plan to do some temping work to get some money behind me until Christmas and then start work experience on magazines again.You're never too old to follow your dream!

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Wine coloured clothes are having a moment and tones of burgundy and berry are perfect for Autumn. I've spotted some fab high street items so you can showcase the trend even when you're strapped for cash.

This image is the property of Primark

Channel 70s glamour with this gorgeous jumpsuit from Primark. Team with gold wedges for a studio 54 look.Snap it up for £17 when it arrives in stores in October.

This picture is the propety of Apricot

Go for a sexy look with this burgundy bodycon dress, £28 from Apricot. Perfect for a night out

This picture is the propety of La Redoute

This silky claret blouse, £35 from La Redoute would look fabulous with flares and chunky heels

There are many more wine coloured items on the high street so why not match your outfit to your beverage and embrace this trend?